Growing Hydroponic Cucumbers Indoors: From Kratky to Soil, a story of survival!
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- Опубликовано: 28 янв 2019
- This is the Story of a cucumber plant that made it, in spite of it being my first attempt at growing cucumbers hydroponically using the Kratky method. This was at the same time I grew the tomatoes using Kratky and learned from that as well. I hope you enjoy this video and learn from my mistakes. I have a much better set up now, and will show that as the plants bear fruit.
You can find the items I use in this video on Amazon here:
Grow Lights: amzn.to/2LfU8zW
Nutrients: Grow Big by Fox Farms: amzn.to/2YwJpqe
MasterBlend Formula: amzn.to/2WfjZNo
Rockwool Cubes: amzn.to/2puNhZ6
Clay Pebbles: amzn.to/2G0AcOf
Mason Jars (make sure they are wide mouth): amzn.to/2GeoN0E
Net Cups 3 inch: amzn.to/2SpJlFD
Grow Lights: amzn.to/2GfcHEj
Growing Trays: amzn.to/2QRSyXn 
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I've seen a hundred other hydroponics and growing related videos but usually most of them end up being people bragging about their success without actually sharing any quality points for learning, mistakes, points to take care. Your videos, though are original and informative. Keep going. Cheers!
fully agree - BEST hydroponics videos on RUclips!
Ditto that. I especially liked the details about container size and saving the male flowers. Somehow it never occurred to me to save them. I'm going to do that now with the cucumber that's been a late bloomer.
It's pretty cool having vegetables growing inside. It's like living in a comfortable garden. Paradise.
Thank You!! Nobody ever shares their struggles and mistakes. I know you’ve saved myself and others from repeating the same mistakes.
I love how you show the progression over time.
Thanks Brandon!
WOWZY! I am learning SO much from you Tikki! I am watching many of your videos over and over, and this will be one of them.
I just wish I could give it another thumbs up each time. Oh drats!
Thank you for sharing everything, even your mistakes. Now I don't have to make them.
Just Floating, thank you for such a wonderful comment, I really appreciate the support. I learn something new every day, and try to make each day better than the day before...so mistakes are a part of that learning process. Thank you!
You are a phenomenal teacher! You have a great way if explaining things to us newbies, step by step, that makes it conceivable to try it myself . I’m so excited to try it.
I have watched alot of videos and I have to say you are the best easy to follow understand and at an level I can appreciate. Thank you much my fear is gone to start.
Thanks BecksBitOBlue 7! There is nothing to fear, if the plants don't grow, just plant again and keep a journal of what works and what doesn't. Best of luck and thanks for the comment!
Thanks for the tip on saving the male flowers. I have two growing in a 7-gallon container and they have just started really growing.
I am absolutely amazed every time I watch one of your videos and see the wealth of knowledge that you share. Thank you so much for this. This would have taken years for me to accumulate and you have it all in your videos condensed into less than 15 minutes.
Thank you for all your work to produce this and share every detail!!! Really appreciated!🥰
Very well presented and explained step by step. Learnt a lot
Thanks Jay, I appreciate it!
Find a friend who buys ice cream in gallon buckets. (Love your videos, this one is particularly helpful -thank you!) You had me rooting for that cucumber plant!
what a journey! i love it
Diva is our favorite cucumber. No peeling needed. Always sweet, never bitter.
orchidjewels48, you are correct, very delicious. I have it growing out in the raised garden bed as well! Thanks for the comment!
Wow I feel the same way as a lot of other comments this was without a doubt THE BEST TEACHING VIDEO ON HOW TO GROW CUCUMBERS INDOORS !!! Without a doubt this has been a labour of love while you progress through your trials and failures. Funny thing is I’ve been experiencing these exact same issues only I had no clue what was causing some of the things I was experiencing. For example I had watched one video that showed how to prune back the plant to remove the flowers that weren’t cucumber producers and I did that and I also tried to remove some of the foliage that was also a drain on the overall plant and it’s ability to produce cucumbers unfortunately I either over pruned or something but I ended up putting a huge strain on the plant overall and it just seemed to stop growing as if it was in shock which it likely was. I did a lot of things wrong but one thing I did do was add room temperature water to the 4L jug every single day and I was blown away one day when I discovered a cucumber the length of a cucumber as long as one of my fingers! Most of the cucumbers I had been producing were small about half the size of one of my fingers but my experiment continues and I continue to refill the container with room temperature water every day some days it doesn’t require much and other days it’s as if it has drank the entire 4litres worth of water overnight! I don’t always add nutrients to the water it’s purely random. I have seen most of the fails that you commented and showed although I had no idea why I was having those results. So I continue to experience the trials and errors. I do have a small little air rock in the bottom of mine that is hooked to an air pump that I run 24/7. I’m also using the same method currently to grow sweet peppers and tomatoes. So far the sweet peppers are showing little buds that look like they may turn in to actual
Peppers and there are a ton of them! I thought pepper plants flowered first but I haven’t seen any flowers. The tomato plant seemed to have grown to the size of container that it’s in and has stopped. So far I haven’t seen any flowers on the tomato plant so I’m going to increase nutrients to it because it’s obviously not getting enough of what it needs to
Produce the fruit. So this coming week I’m going to begin cranking up the nutrients and we shall see what happens. Thank you for your video and showing what everything means when they fail because those are the most important aspects of this because gardening never turns out
Perfectly the first time it’s a learning experience and the more you learn the less likely you are to experience the failed scenarios again. 🥰🙏🏻🇨🇦
Thanks very much - I really enjoy and learn from your videos. I cheered when you said you saw the first flower!
Nice! Amazing growing technic! Very informative!! Thank you for taking us from beginning to end. Do not see that too often!
What a great video! Thanks again. You make this so illustrative and real. I started when I say your germinating videos!
Very nice cucumber story with a happy ending
Wonderful educational videos on hydroponic gardening. I knew nothing when i came on youtube today to research, have watched many other people and they do not pack in as much knowledge as you do. Loved tying the rope to a hook in the ceiling, would've never have thought of that. I am subscribed and following :) Thank you so much, I can't wait to start this method!
Thank you for sharing your wisdom in your channel. Well I just tried cucumber for salad. My seedlings are very leggy. The fact about male and female flowers are new to me. Thank you for.this profound video.
Blessimgs from Austria
You explain everything so easy to understand. Your my favorite host
I will start my cucumber plant now. For sure i will save time from your lesson. Thank you so much for sharing!
Good luck Dengs! Start some microgreens also so you have something to eat in the meantime, and enjoy the journey!
YOU ARE FANTASTIC,...THANK YOU FOR SHARING.
aI LOVE THE WAY YOU TEACH :) THANK YOU FOR THE WISDOM!!! I love to learn and I always learn from the best...
Thanks Samantha, I also love to learn....I appreciate the comment!
New subscriber here. I love your videos. Amazing teachings. Seriously. This was a great science experiment and I learned so much.
Very cool. Gotta make them happy. Enjoyed this one Tikki!
Thanks Mike, I appreciate the comment!
@@TikkiOOO Thank you, learning a lot.
@@TheChromePoet Keep learning, I'm also learning....every day!
Such a great video. This is shows how important those little insects for our balanced ecosystem. This is why I never add weedicides or pesticides to my plants or lawn.
You are amazing 😉.....Thank you so much for all your experiments, you have taught me a lot.
Thanks Toya, good luck growing!
Great Video full of growing information...Thank You..!
Thanks Rodger!
Wow i'm amazed at your patience. Mine produced cucumbers as of week 5! It was a self pollinating variety (katrina cucumber) but i quickly realized that something was wrong. One plant made all female flowers but the other all male! And I had to pollinate even though it was a pathogenic cucumber. All in all i've harvested about 10 cucumbers until the plant got to big for it's pot. The next one will be in a deep water system.
Great video clip!! George Washington Carver used a feather to pollinate some of his experimental plants ~ just for your information. Thank you for your help!♥
Interesting Richard, thanks .... I didn't know that!
Great information. Thank you
Thanks Carl!
I always love your videos
Thanks Margot for the comment....you made my day!
Thanks for wonderful lessons :)
Love your channel!
Thank you so much!
Thank you so much. I love your videos!
Thanks Lalie61, I appreciate it!
I'm enjoying your vedio ,thank you for sharing ,my first time watching ,I'm going to try this system of growing some vegetables , 😊
Wow another amazing super great video info and analysis from absolutely the best channel on utube. I'm trying your method to regrow store bought lettuce and celery it working . thank you and keep up the great videos
Thank you Jimmy, try scallions and onions too! And thanks for the nice comment, I appreciate it.
I had a similar situation in my aquaponic system in the home. I had thought it was because of the humidity in the home at 27%. Thank you for your information as now I will try again.
Good luck Marcheta, and thanks for the comment!
Looks like you ended up with some nice cucumbers. I cant wait to see how the new containers turn out :) I was able to grow some cucumbers at my sons school in a 12ish gallon container. The kids love to check them out. We had them right by the front door. Right now at my sons school there is a class that has a basil plant in a 2 liter bottle using the Kratky system and some sunflowers growing in soil.
Benja's Uber I've got a ton of flowers and little cukes...lets hope they don't shrivel up and die...kids love to watch things grow!
What an interesting video!!!!
Thank you for the nice comment MiddleEastMilli, I appreciate it!
Very informative.
Thanks Sachin!
I would like to see your shelf you grew the cucumber and tomatoes along with the light and your foil reflector. It would be so very helpful. Thank you so much.
Awesome
cool video
I use 4 Aerogardens and often move plants into soil afterwards, once hardy. I'm now going to try Kratky method for many of these... Thanks for the video, (and the Toms one), I'll be busy collecting large jam jars for herbs, and bigger ones for cucs!
Hi Andrew T....great idea to use the Aerogardens to start your seeds...gets them off to a good start. Good luck and thanks for the comment!
I have so many things to learn. Thanks to your channel I started my attempt. How to know if my cucumbers need to be be manually pollinated?
Nice tutorial
Thank you for the comment angela!
great I made the same mistake with chillis and tomatoes this year. The plants ran out of nutrient, I mistakenly topped up the nutrient and the plants started to drown, so had to swap the out to soil are now healthy. I like the kratky method if you just set it and leave it, but sometimes its just too much hard work.
I love your videos. Can you do one on what plants you think give the best return emotionally and in terms of time and space. I have had good success with a Japanese climbing cuke outside and indoors in soil and hope to try it with the hydroponics.
Great video, thank you for sharing your experience ! How manu cucumbers did you finally get for one plant, please ?
Nice
going thru similar challenge at the moment, thanks for sharing
Thanks Vijay....the cucumber plant is a little like having kids.....no user's manual.....good luck to you!
@@TikkiOOO hahaha, great analogy.. very true
Great stuff! Thanks so much.
Any bugs flying around?
Thank you for sharing this video. I bought Diva slicing non-GMO, open-pollinated parthenocarpic seeds and set the plant on a 9-gallon styrofoam box in my backyard (fish container from our sushi restaurant). I also use Fox Farm 3-2-6 NPK. It is hot and dry here in So. California so the styrofoam box outside should prevent the nutrients from warming up. I am also growing 3 sweet pepper plants in the same container. I recently installed an air pump to ensure the roots get oxygen.
The cucumber plant is growing very fast but just like your experience, the female flowers dry out and stop growing. The packet says "plants are gynoecious (all-female) and parthenocarpic (grow fruits without pollination)." Because of this, I covered my planting area with a mosquito net to prevent pests and even bees to pollinate. Now I am wondering if I should hand pollinate - all of what I've read about parthenocarpic seeds say we should not allow pollination as it may cause the fruit to be bitter and misshapen. Any thoughts or ideas why the fruits just die away? Thank you!
I would definitely grow the types of cucumbers that don’t need to be pollinated if I were growing indoors. Beit Alpha and Mercury are the two I plan to grow. Oops, I see you mentioned that later in the video. 😊
How do you save the male flower 🤔 thank you I've learnt alot from your vid, really amazing, and I see now that my pot is too small also
I love your videos and always refer my friends to them. I had one question for you. How much do you spend on powering these lights and how many do you have at any given time? This has always been a concern of mine.
spot on lovely presentation how about the taste
These tasted fine, thanks Etel!
Hi Tilli
Which hydroponic plant food is best for cucumbers and tomatoes?
Thank you.
I was expecting an "And they all lived happily ever after :-)". I am planning something of this for next year thanks.
Unfortunately some don't make it....thats life....good luck on your crop!
Wow, thank you, so much stuff to learn, a cucumber without pollination. That is why keep coming to check for a new info. Thanks a lot God bless.
Thank you RVS BEST, and I agree...so much to learn! Have fun growing and learning, and thanks for the comment, I appreciate it!
What kind of lights are you using? Good work with the cucumbers soon well try em also instead of out side....to many bugs. How do you get your seedlings started?
C'est un plaisir pour les yeux ,manque plus qu'à goûter ...
Merci pour le commentaire, je l'apprécie!
Very nice video, I have sub
Thank you BecksBitOfBlue!
I am growing tomatoes chillis n cucumber , in 32 oz mason jar now Will be 1:31 changing to 64 oz jar
My qstn is do i have to add nutrient everytime i add water when level goes considerably lower ? And shud i add half dose or less
Love your voice. You could do voice overs for kids books.
Thanks Dylan....I raised 4 kids and have had plenty of practice :) Thanks for the comment!
how many weeks or days were able to have fresh cucumbers for?
Nice video Tikki, I like the Kratky or Gericke models of non-circulating hydroponics. Fun to watch you explore growing the cucumber plants. The Diva variety and Persian Baby also are wonderful. While I use a 32 or 44 gallon container outdoors, I am fascinated with seeing how you do with the 5 gallon container.
Thank you Matt, I appreciate the comment! Do you think the 5 gallon container will be big enough for 2 plants? Right now the plants are young, I have two beefsteak tomatoes growing in one 5 gallon tote and two Diva cucumbers growing in the other, and so far so good.....thank you for your feedback!
@@TikkiOOO With pruning, you can keep those plants small and get some fruits off of them. Typically, smaller containers have smaller and less numerous fruits. I have grown a cucumber plant in a 1.5 gallon container. It takes daily work to keep the water topped off. For outdoors, a beefsteak tomato can easily consume 80 gallons of nutrients in a large container, and often more if productive. Bernie Kratky told me that he used 4 gallons of nutrient for every 1 pound of fruit as a starting point.
@@MattGarver thank you for the reply! I will prune and keep small. One more question if you don't mind, do you top off with water or with nutrients? The Aerogarden (DWC not Kratky) says to top off with water and add nutrients only once every two weeks. Thank you again!
@@TikkiOOO With my Kratky small containers, I use 1/3 to 1/2 strength nutrient to top off. Then periodically dump the entire container to freshen it up.
@@MattGarver Thank you, appreciate the answer.....very helpful!
Thanks for making the video. I am not expert. But a home grower like you. I think the plants need more light while fruiting.
Thanks alvin, my grow area gets natural light from two skylights and a bay window in addition to the artificial grow lights I use. But this winter has been cloudy and sunless, so you may be right, thanks for the input!
pruning the plant promotes growth and fruit
I've been loving your channel ever since I subscribed, I do have a couple suggestions/ideas. What I've done with my Mason jars is put a strip of tape on the side then spray painting the whole thing, that way when you take the tape off you have a thin strip to see the water level and roots. In the totes, it's possible to make a small hole in the top to fit the neck of a glass or plastic bottle, you can fill it with water and put it upside down in the hole so it fills the tote whenever the water level goes below the opening of the water bottle.
What ratios and amounts of the masterblend mix are you using? Also, what is the best way to save the male flowers to keep the pollen viable?
Thank you LazyH, those are great ideas! I use the recipe on the Masterblend bag in grams, I weigh it with a food scale. I plan to make a video on how I mix it for 1 gallon since the recipe is for 5 gallons. I used to save the male flower for only a week or so till the female flowers appear, sometimes I put them in a baggie, sometimes I just leave it laying on the shelf. Recently I only grow the Diva cucumber that does not need to be pollinated and I have much better results. Thanks for the comment and feedback!
I'm so sorry! I thought I had subscribed already, done now!
Thank you Susan!!!!
Do you have a video showing your indoor growing set up? (Where you position the lights, how long they're on each day, what's the tin foil wall for, etc). If so, I'd love to hear and see all about it!
I've been wanting to get into gardening for so long, but living in a city apartment that seemed like a far off dream. You channel has inspired me, and I'm so excited to see that these things can be done indoors with reasonably priced equipment.
Angela I don't have a set up video, perhaps in the future. You can grow sprouts and microgreens in an apartment with little cost. If you are just starting out, then start by growing lettuce or microgreens first. The reward is quicker and more chance of success. Then try growing your own herbs, that is also easy. Good luck to you!
@@TikkiOOO Thank you so much for the tips! 😁
Please correct me if I am wrong, but it is a hybrid, right? and as far as I understand, hybrids do not need pollunation?
This is great! I can't grow cucumbers outside because I have cut worms in EVERY BED! UGH!!!! I may try this once I get my house moved around.
Tactical Poppins, sorry to hear that! You can also grow in soil in containers or grow bags in a different area of your garden or deck. Good luck!
So... If your growing outside, the reservoir has to be dark ? Where did you get the paper bags ?
where do you find the 5 gallon container
Please help! I’m growing cucumbers in a hydroponic container. The whole plant seems very dry. The little cucumber that sprouted at the base has not progressed, and is crispy/crunchy. The stem is also very dry. There are many flowers at the end/tip of the plant, but the little cucumbers there are also dry and prickly. I’m using Fox Farm’s Grow Big hydroponic solution.
HELLO IS THERE A CUCUMBER I CAN BUY SO I WOULD NOT HAVE TO POLLINATE THE FLOWER IF SO CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT IT IS THANKS 7:37
Once again, Great Video Tikki... Did you have any problems with temperature? I did hear cucumbers need a lot of humidity... Tikki, may i ask, when you have them in grow lights, how far is the grow lights to the mason jar? I noticed my last few plants are leggy. Thanks Tikki
Hi Eddie, thanks for the questions! I wonder if the humidity is why I had such a low germination rate? My kitchen is around 70-75 F degrees. The grow lights for my cukes and tomatoes are between 12-24 inches away, closer is probably better. As the plant grows it gets closer to the lights, but initially the plants are probably too far away. Hope that answers your questions!
Hi. I need help .
How can I get Fertilizer ???
HELP! I can’t seem to grow cucumbers! I’ve been trying to grow cucumber plants indoors in a hydroponic setup, can you please share which varieties of cucumbers that you have grown successfully that are self-pollinating??? Thanks 🙏🏻🥰🇨🇦
what is ec or ppm of your solution?
Love every single video of urs and learned alot from u. Im starting my first tomato kratky
Thanks badreya, I appreciate it!
Looks tricky. Do you have any success with broccoli or cauliflower?
Hi Tikki O. Thank you very much for sharing and you have a great presentations video and sound. I'm just getting into this Kratky method. I just planted my first cucumber seed in rock wool and it's sprouted. What size glass Jar should I use to grow it for it's life? And what size net basket should I use. Right now I have it in a 2" net basket and 32 ounce jar. But, if I were to keep it in a glass jar, would a one gallon jar be large enough? Thank you
Hi Romin, I'm so glad you started! A one gallon container for one cucumber plant should be okay, but if you have a bigger container, then use that. Recently I used an old flower pot with a styrofoam top and its working great (its one of my later videos). The great thing about a bigger container is you can mix up enough hydroponic solution, fill the reservoir and not have to refill for quite a while. With smaller containers you have to watch the water level, and the plant is happier with more room I think. Good luck to you!
Just found your channel and really like your clear explanations. I am new to hydroponic gardening but so far love the Kratky method. I see you mentioned somewhere that you were going to post a nutrient video. I have had trouble deciding whether to use general purpose dose of nutrients or aggressive vegetation nutrients. I am currently using GH Flora grow. When you mix nutrients, how long can you leave nutrients in your gallon pail once mixed?Also do you use distilled water? Your answers would be super helpful .
I use up the nutrients pretty quickly, I don't leave them around for more than a week, but it might be fine, its in the resevoir feeding the plants for longer than that. I use filtered reverse osmosis water, I have a filtered system. If you can use filtered watet that is best, non chlorinated water is also better.
Thank you so much. I really appreciate your videos
Hi Tikki O. Another great video; thank you very much. It crossed my mind, could you take the male flower, pluck it up, and rub it against the female flower, in lieu of using a paint brush?
Thanks again Romin, yes I actually do that when the males appear first, I save them and then when the females come out I rub them against each other, but I am now growing Diva cucumbers which are self pollinating.
I have a question, if the container I use is big enough for most of the life cycle, but I do need to refill once or twice, do I just fill it up with just water? Or do I need to make a fresh batch of hydroponic solution to refill ?
The best way would be to dump out the water that remains and refill with fresh hydroponic solution. Just make sure to leave a space between the surface of the water and the plant for the air roots to grow. About an inch below the net cup. Good luck!
very informative video. could you please send me the link to the grow lights you use.
Hi Divya, I use a variety of lights, some I got from Home Depot, some from Amazon. I always look for 6500 Kelvin so that the spectrum is close to daylight. Here is a link to one I use:amzn.to/2xFRfSU that is a 4 foot lamp and you can daisy chain it, meaning you can plug another into it. Here is a 2 ft one: amzn.to/2JDqsMC They both have 4 T5 bulbs that are easy to replace. The 4 foot lamp puts out 20000 lumens, the 2 ft lamp puts out 10000 lumens. When you are on Amazon check out other lights and the reviews people write before buying....but those are the ones I use. I also grow in my kitchen, not in my basement. My kitchen is a huge well lit space because we combined the kitchen and den by taking down the wall. It has 2 skylights and a bay window, so there is plenty of daylight coming in aside from the grow lights. If you grow in a dark place, like a basement, then you might need more lighting. You will find out if your plants are not happy, they will let you know..... Hope that helps, good luck!
I have a small veg garden. But today I decided to switch some of them to this method. I have 20 numbers of 14 gallon (50 litres) cans..
Please give me instructions to prepare the solution...
As I have an opeque container so I need extra whole to check the water level and refilling.
I got that point about the gap between plant and water.. is there need any provision for air circulation..
Madhu Sreedharan
Love from India...
Tikki, how did you save the male flowers? In the fridge? Don't they shrivel up if left on the plant? Thank you for your video!!
I saved them on a paper plate next to the plant. The pollen is what I needed from the male flower, and it stays. After this cucumber plant I got Diva seeds, parthenocarpic, doesn't need pollination.
I am a first time kratky method grower n very elderly
I planted Roma tomatoes n space master cucumber in 64 oz mason
jar They are growing well n becoming too big to manage
The cumber is not parthenocopic n have to be pollinated indoors which is not possible for me
You are an expert in mason jar kratky method
Would appreciate very much if you can suggest a couple of suitable parthenocopic cucumber and a comfotable size tomato plants to grow indoors in 64 oz bottles
I saw another one video he pulled the males off in order to pollinate. Thank you for sharing
Save the males! Thanks for the comment Sherize!
How do you save them without them shrivelling up?
I'm new to gardening, how do you save Male flowers? I like your videos, keep on
Hi Germeen, I just pluck them off and keep them on the side, the female flowers usually come in soon after that. But the better solution is to buy Diva cucumbers or some other variety that is parthenocarpic, all female and does not need pollination. Good luck!
Question: did u increase the masterblend formula once the plant started to flower?
Hi Herrera, no I didn't...but I transferred the plant into a pot with soil and gave it Miracle Grow after that. It gave off quite a few nice cucumbers.
Hi Tikki! I'm Glenn. I'm a recent sub to your channel. I am starting cucumbers right now, so your video has excellent timing for me. Thanks for making this video. What size mason jar did you start with, please? I was going to use a 64-ounce mason jar. And what size Husky container did you end up using? Thanks a lot for this helpful info! Have a great day :)
Hi Glenesis, welcome! A 64 ounce mason jar should be good, the rule is the bigger, the better. The tote was a 5 gallon tote, again, bigger is better. Good luck!
@@TikkiOOO Thanks a lot for the info. Good luck to you, too 👍
Greetings,
Very good presentation, except slower talking is much better. Please elaborate more on the pollination.
All regards,
Mashalah